3 Books That Helped Me Get Through Tough Times

Almost 10 years ago, my mom gave me a book called “Commanding Your Morning” by Cindy Trimm. She gave it to me at a time in life when I felt kind of “stuck”. I had just finished graduate school (right when the job market was terrible), and wasn’t sure of my next steps. After all, I hadn’t landed a job yet and was still entertaining the idea of going back to school to obtain a PhD.I started to compare myself to others, wondering why no one would hire me and was totally embarrassed by the fact that I was back home living with my parents. To some, this may not have seemed to be the biggest problem in the world, but to me, it was. I just always assumed that after grad school, I would quickly land a wonderful opportunity, but sometimes what we think will happen in our head doesn’t always pan out that way. I’ll admit, that time in my life was tough and extremely humbling. There were times when I doubted my intelligence and felt defeated. My faith was low. It seemed like everyone was working, making money, being promoted and buying beautiful cars and homes, while I was back in my childhood bedroom at my parents’ house. I soon realized that with the recession, a lot of people were actually struggling to keep those beautiful homes and cars, while unfortunately sliding into debt.I’m sure everyone has had these times when it seems that things aren’t going as planned and you start to ask God, “Why me?” or “When is my time coming?” It was at that time in my life that I learned the importance of speaking things into the atmosphere. After reading ‘Commanding Your Morning”, I began to speak out loud all types of positive things about myself, while simultaneously casting down negative thoughts and emotions. I did this every day, sometimes several times a day. As many people may know, the process of searching for a job is a full time job! Although it would be quite some time until I landed a job, I started to feel better about things. I made the decision to see the good in my situation. After all, I had a lot to be thankful for. I was able to spend a lot of time with my parents, which was and still is a blessing. A lot of people have had parents pass away or have never had a relationship with their parents, so that time was a good thing. I became more hands on with the family business. I joined the gym and went 3-4 times a week in addition to teaching my karate class. Working out really helped to relieve stress and gave me something exciting to do in between job hunting.I spent quiet time with God daily. I tried to eat healthy. I went to school for a year and realized that a PhD wasn’t for me. Shortly after that, I discovered blogging and later realized that I wanted to give it a shot. My faith got stronger. I realized that my self worth was (and is) not defined by a job, but by who I am in Christ. A few months later, I finally landed a part time job at a local community college, where I still work today.Everything hasn’t been ideal, but that’s life. I’ve learned to see the joy in the journey. To this day, I still speak positive words over my life and the lives of my friends, family members and loved ones. In the mornings, it really helps to set the tone for the day. If you or someone you know is going through a difficult period, start speaking positive words over your life, even if those things aren’t happening yet. Pray and keep going after your dreams. Also, read as many books as you can, such as “Commanding Your Morning” by Cindy Trimm. I’d also recommend ‘Battlefield of the Mind’ and ‘The Confident Woman’ by Joyce Meyer (she has a lot of great books). Continue to give thanks in everything and trust that eventually, things will get better!Download the bible app on your phone so that you can read while you’re out and about. There are a variety of bible plans that I’m sure will be beneficial! Also, check out these scriptures that I like to meditate on. I’m sure they will be just as helpful for you as they are for me.Philippians 4:8 KJV- I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.Matthew 21:22 NIV- If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.Isaiah 55:11 AMPC- So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.Romans 4:17b- ASV- Call the things that are not, as though they were.2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV- The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.